When:

• Thursday, February 2, at 1 p.m. ET. It will last 30 minutes.

Where:

The Motherhood – here is the link to the page where the class will be held: http://www.themotherhood.com/talk/show?id=62363

About the class:

Get ready – and hungry – for Game Day! Cold weather and football puts us in the mood for some tasty slow cooker recipes. Join us to share your favorites and be inspired by suggestions from others! Celebrity chef George Duran will host a live video demonstration of a slow cooker recipe from website Ready Set Eat while we all chat and ask questions via text.

The class is sponsored by ReadySetEat.com and ConAgra Foods, and it is hosted by TheMotherhood. You can get and share suggestions for crowd-pleasing halftime recipes during this class and turn to recipe website ReadySetEat.com for more quick and easy meal ideas.

I hope you’ll join me and the other co-hosts listed below.

1. Migdalia, Latina On a Mission, http://latinaonamission.com (ME!)
2. Johanna, Momma Cuisine, http://mommacuisine.com
3. John, Stay at Stove Dad, http://stayatstovedad.com
4. Liz, Thoughts of a Mommy, http://thoughtsofamommy.com
5. Melanie, The Coupon Goddess, http://www.thecoupongoddess.com
6. Robyn, Robyn’s Online World, http://www.robynsonlineworld.com
7. Sarah, Sarah’s Cucina Bella, http://sarahscucinabella.com
8. Shari, Earth Mother Just Means I’m Dusty, http://www.dustyearthmother.com
9. Silvia, Mama Latina Tips, http://www.mamalatinatips.com
10. Yoly, Cuponeando, http://www.cuponeando.net

Disclosure:  As a host of the cooking connections class, my time is compensated.  As always my opinions and love for cooking are solely my own.

How heart smart is your shopping cart?

As a parent, and consumer, I want to believe I am making heart healthy choices for myself and my family. Yet, reality is that most consumers don’t.  

Many families avoid heart-healthy foods because they think they won’t taste good or are too hard to make or cost too much. . The good news is that this couldn’t be further from the truth! You can “heart your cart” with foods that are simple to prepare, convenient, affordable and sabroso/delicious!

Diane Henderiks, R.D., provided me with some simple and inexpensive ways to “heart your cart”.

• Make your own salad dressing by mixing balsamic vinegar and Welch’s grape juice.
• One 4 oz glass of 100% grape juice equals 1 serving (1/2 cup) of fruit – with no added sugar. *Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is a great option!
• Instead of purchasing bread crumbs, pulverize oatmeal down to  powder, mix with flour and use mixture to bread chicken.
• In sangria recipe, substitute wine for Welsch’s grape juice. Heart healthy and festive!
• Red wine, salmon, oatmeal or olive oil are heart-healthy foods.

 
Let’s talk! How do you “heart your cart”? Share your tips in a comment below!

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To save your wallet, while saving your heart, click HERE to obtain printable grocery coupons.

To find Welch’s products and heart-healthy resources, including shopping tips, videos and recipes visit welchs.com/rewardyourheart.

*To learn more about the Concord grape’s health benefits go to www.GrapeScience.com

A friend of mine recently served a bottle of Culitos’ Merlot Wine on a romantic getaway. The wine hails from Chile; hence, the Spanish name Culitos.

Curious: How would you have reacted to a romantic dinner with a bottle of  Culitos’ Merlot Wine?

Btw, according to Super Wine Warehouse Culitos Merlot Wine is “Full Bodied – No Butts about it! Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Great fruit finish.”

Happy WW!

If you received a text message from Payless between October 29, 2005 and October 29, 2010, you may be entitled to a merchandise credit worth up to $25.

This lawsuit alleges that Payless violated federal statute by sending unwanted and unsolicited text messages promoting Payless products to cell phone subscribers . The text messages usually originated from shortcodes 242424 or 747474. Examples of sent text messages are shown below.

Big Miracle, rated PG, includes a stellar cast: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Vinessa Shaw, John Pingayak, John Chase, Ahmaogak Sweeney and Ted Danson.

Based on a true story, Big Miracle, is set to open nationwide on February 3, 2012. The movie follows the story of Adam Carlson, a reporter played by John Krasinski, and Rachel Kramer, an animal-loving volunteer played by Drew Barrymore, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend! As they join forces to free 3 California gray whales who are trapped in Alaska, they find the unlikeliest of allies in an oil tycoon, heads of state, rival world superpowers and journalists from all over the world. Amindst the chaos, you find yourself rooting for not just the whales but for Adam and Rachel to get back together.

Andrew, my 10 year old, and I went to see the pre-screening of Big Miracle this weekend. The movie had us laughing, gasping and yes, I admit even tearing at various points. It’s a movie that emphasizes family and community. Perfect for the kids!

Without giving too much away, I can tell you that the ending was  bittersweet. Although, Rachel was not able to do all she hoped to do, she united communities all over the world, changing the playing field for those who care about the environment.

Favorite Quote:

It (the hole) kept getting bigger and bigger until it let the whole world in.

That my dear readers is what passion does!

Let’s talk! Are you planning on seeing Big Miracle? Why or why not?  

Run. Jump. Squat. Repeat!

Run. Jump. Squat. Repeat!

BREATHE.

The past few weeks have been intense as a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. My body has done things it hasn’t done in ages. Honestly, after my first training session with my Lucille Roberts’ Trainer, I didn’t think I would make it. I was bright red, gasping for breath and dripping more sweat than I thought a body could produce! But you know what? I DID IT!

I’m now on my 4th week of training and feel more energized than I’ve felt in the past 2 years. I no longer take power naps. I’ve lowered my coffee intake. I have energy. In sum, I. Feel. GREAT!

When I joined the Lucille Roberts Blog Ambassador program, I wanted to make a change in my life. As a single mom of a two boys, a teen and tween, my life was, and is, hectic. Working from home, exacerbates the situation. I was losing myself. It was no longer Ms. Latina, the woman. I had become Ms. Latina, the mother, business owner, babysitter, chef, tutor, cab driver and a multitude of other titles. I no longer took the time for myself. I was overwhelmed, harried and looked downright frumpy.

Lucille Roberts has given me my mojo back!

I no longer drag myself down the street.

I sashay.

Swaying my hips from side to side, I walk with my back straight and my head held high. I am  Beautiful. I am determined. I am part of a Sisterhood, the Lucille Roberts’ Sisterhood and I am fierce.

I kick arse. Albeit, not as high as I did years ago, but my kicks will one day reach further than they do today.  Till then, I know I am in good hands. Lucille Roberts is providing me with the tools. I am not alone. I am part of a sisterhood!

Let’s talk! Do you prefer to workout alone, with a trainer, or in a group? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: I am a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. I am given access to the gym and their services so that I can provide an honest review of the same. The aches, pain, lost weight and opinions expressed herein are all mine.

Every Thursday at the Lucille Roberts Gym I meet with a nutritionist and weigh in.  I have to admit it’s the most stressful and rewarding day of my week.

At the beginning of the session, the nutritionist obtains my stats using the Ironman Glass InnerScan Body Composition Monitor. It tells us my weight, body fat , body water and muscle mass weight. It also tells me my metabolic age (how old my body believes it is). My metabolic age is 50. I’m hoping to lower this as much as possible by the time March rolls around.

Having a nutritionist work with me has helped me considerably. Every week, she’s given me some ideas that I have been able to incorporate into my lifestyle. She’s also made sure to go at my pace. My body and lifestyle are unique – as are yours; as a result, the nutritionist can’t hand me a one size fits all nutrition plan. It won’t work. Taking into account my lifestyle (stressful), my job (sedentary) and my current fitness level (sedentary), she was able to give me tips on how to jack up my metabolic rate.

Below I’ve noted a few of her suggestions. Keep in mind these were her suggestions to me and may not work for everyone.  

Have you used any of the above suggestions to lose weight? Or, do you have any suggestions that would help us in our weight loss journey? Share them with us in a comment!  

Disclosure: I am a Lucille Roberts Ambassador. I am given access to the gym and their services so that I can provide an honest review of the same.